FSU law professor dies in shooting

Dan Markel, a well-known Florida State law professor and author, died at the age of 41 after being shot in his home Friday, according to friends and the Florida State University College of Law.

"I am deeply saddened to report that our colleague Dan Markel passed away early this morning," wrote Donald Weidner, dean of the FSU College of Law, to faculty and staff Saturday morning. "As many of you are already aware, Dan was fatally injured in a shooting incident that took place yesterday and which is still under active investigation by local authorities."

Allen Grossman, a friend of Markel's, received a call Friday saying Markel was shot in his home about 11 a.m. the same time a person in the Betton Hills neighborhood called police saying they heard a

"loud bang" in the 2100 block of Trescott Drive.

In a press release late Saturday evening, Tallahassee Police confirmed Markel had died in the Friday morning shooting and that no suspects have been identified.

TPD spokeswoman Tenitris McInnis said about 11 a.m. officers were called to 2116 Trescott Drive, which is Markel's address according to the Leon County Property Appraiser, and found Markel with an apparent gunshot wound.

McInnis said Markel was rushed to a local hospital and died. The incident is still under investigation and police are asking anyone with information to call 606-5800.

News of his death made its way across social media sites, particularly among shocked members of the academic law community, where Markel was popular.

"Our attention is focused on supporting Dan's family and the many members of our community who are undoubtedly shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events," Weidner wrote to law school students Saturday.

"It was shocking," said FSU law student Clara Vickers. "That's not something you expect to hear."

Grossman said he's known Markel since he came to Tallahassee about eight or nine years ago to work at the law school. In the aftermath of Markel's death, Grossman was called to help the family.

Markel, Grossman said, was a bright, intelligent man devoted to his two young sons, ages 3 and 5, and actively involved in his synagogue, Congregation Shomrei Torah.

A big part of Markel's life was his academic career, Grossman said, and it showed. Markel's articles, essays and writings have been displayed in top law reviews and his opinion pieces have been featured in the New York Times, Slate and The Atlantic. In 2009, he published a book, Privilege or Punish: Criminal Justice and the Challenge of Family Ties. He also ran a popular blog about law called Prawfs Blawg.

Raised in Toronto, Markel graduated from Harvard College in 1995 and later received his masters from the University of Cambridge before graduating from Harvard Law School in 2001.

His teaching career at Florida State dates back to 2005, according to his website. Since then, his teaching has been in criminal law with focuses on a variety of other topics such as the death penalty and punitive damages.

"Dan was one of the most vivacious members of our community. He was an outstanding teacher and extraordinary scholar and colleague whose opinions were widely solicited and valued. His contributions to the law school and broader legal community were pervasive and lasting. We all mourn his passing and will feel his loss for many years to come," Dean Weidner said.

Vickers took Markel's criminal law class this spring and planned to take another one of his classes this year.

"He was really understanding. Criminal law covers some harsh materials sometimes," she said. "He covered it in a way that was really digestible."

Vickers got a call Saturday morning from a friend who told her what happened.

"It's going to be difficult to replace him. I feel like the law school community will feel his loss," she said.

A noon memorial service is planned for Sunday at Congregation Shomrei Torah, located at 4858 Kerry Forest Parkway. A memorial service at FSU will take place later this fall when more students and faculty are in Tallahassee.